The secret identity of the man behind one of television's most famous racing icons

Countries & Cities · Published 13 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For nearly a decade, a mysterious figure in white raced across the world's most famous tracks. While the driving was legendary, the driver's true identity remained a closely guarded secret until a recent revelation. Discover how this professional racer balanced a career in engineering with life as a television icon.

For much of the modern era of automotive television, the identity of 'The Stig' on the BBC's Top Gear was a subject of intense speculation. Between December 2010 and 2019, the third incarnation of this character was actually portrayed by Phil Keen. Though the persona was famous for its anonymity, the truth behind the helmet was only officially confirmed in 2024, when presenter Jeremy Clarkson revealed Keen's role during a Q&A session.

Beyond the white suit, Keen has established a formidable reputation in professional motorsport. He is recognized as the most successful driver in the history of the British GT Championship, a feat highlighted by his three runner-up finishes in the premier GT3 class. His competitive record is extensive; as of April 2023, he held the record for the highest number of victories in the series. His career has also seen him serve as an official Lamborghini factory driver, notably securing the GT World Challenge Europe Pro-Am title in 2019.

Keen's professional life operates on two distinct tracks. While he competes in high-stakes endurance racing, such as the European Le Mans Series for JMW Motorsport, he also maintains a career in engineering in Henley-on-Thames. His expertise extends to stunt driving, with credits on productions such as Ben Collins Stunt Driver in 2015 and Monday Motorsport in 2017. He showcased his adaptability during the 2023 British GT Championship, stepping in for 2 Seas Motorsport's Jules Gounon and Jonathan Adam.

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